"As it stands now, some 25 million families will enjoy the child tax credit – but it leaves out working families with an income between $10,500 and $26,625 per year.  This means parents in a three-child household, who make $85,000, will get a $1,200 check from the government.  Meanwhile, three-child parents fighting to make ends meet on a household income of less than $26,625 - the income range of a new teacher, or a fireman, or even our men and women in uniform - will get absolutely nothing.

"It is simply wrong to enact a tax cut in the name of economic relief and not give that relief to hard-working families struggling to provide for their children.  While I voted against the overall tax cut last month, I have always supported extending the child tax credit because it helps families who need it most. 

"In fact, I co-sponsored a bill that would have provided that relief – a fiscally responsible child tax credit extension that would have been paid for.  Unfortunately, that version was not allowed to come to the floor, and instead the House passed a version - buried in another tax package - that will only add to our mounting national debt. 

"The tax cut signed into law last month will send this year’s federal budget deficit above $400 billion – the largest in our nation’s history.  This is not the answer to our economic troubles.  For this reason, I could not support the tax package that was brought before the house.  I will continue to fight for a fiscally responsible child tax credit, and for the 76,000 working families in Arkansas who need that relief."

“This is wonderful news for our district,” Ross said.  “In the First Responder Preparedness Assessment Report recently released by my office, we found that a majority of our fire departments do not have the funding they need to protect people and property, and to serve as the front line troops for hometown security.  Our firefighters do a great job with what they have to work with, but in order to respond to day-to-day calls and be prepared for larger emergencies, they need the added assistance these FEMA grants will provide.”

The Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety Program includes funding for training, wellness and fitness, firefighting equipment, personal protective equipment, and modifications to fire stations and facilities.  Departments in the Fourth District receiving grant awards for Fire Operations and Firefighter Safety are as follows:

· Cove Rural Volunteer Fire Department - $40,187 
· Nella Volunteer Fire Department  - $38,969 
· Glenwood Fire Department - $21,600
· Caddo Gap Volunteer Fire Department - $38,016

The Firefighting Vehicles Acquisition Program includes funding for pumpers, brush trucks, tankers, rescue, ambulances, quints, aerials, foam units, and fireboats.  Departments receiving grant awards for Firefighting Vehicles are as follows:

· Lawson-Urbana Rural Volunteer Fire Department - $139,500
· Bodcaw Volunteer Fire Department (Rosston) - $13,500

This is the first round of notifications for the 2003 program.  Further notifications are expected on a weekly basis for the next 12-15 months. 

Photo:  Ross stands with members of the Hot Springs Fire Department during the unveiling of the First Responder Preparedness Assessment Report.

WASHINGTON, DC – Fourth District Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.) announced Wednesday that Arkansas will receive a portion of grants totaling $1.7 million from the Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) to support the Flood Map Modernization program.

“This funding will provide much-needed help to families and businesses in our low lying areas that are prone to flooding,” Ross said.  “The goal of the Flood Map Modernization is to create current, digitized, maps that accurately reflect the flood hazards across the country.  Many maps being used now are outdated, and don’t reflect construction projects, changes in silt deposits along the Mississippi River, and other factors that affect how water gathers during a flood.  People in Arkansas will be able to use this updated information to ensure that they get the proper flood insurance, build their homes and businesses at proper flood heights, and take other measures to adequately prepare for the hazards of flooding.”

Arkansas will receive $30,000 to develop a multi-year “business care” within six months that will outline a strategy for managing subsequent funding to implement map modernization and to increase state and local capability for developing and maintaining flood hazard data. 

This is part of the $1.7 million phase one of the grant funding.  Phase two, for which funding amounts have not been finalized, will support the implementation of the approved business plans and activities that facilitate the map production process.